Grain sampling device



Feb. 16, 1965 P. J. MGGINN 3,169,403

GRAIN SAMPLING DEVICE Filed April 30. 1962 m WM United States PatentOfiice 3,lb,4fi3 Patented Feb. 16, 1%65 3569, 363 GRAIN AMPL1N-G DEVHIEPaul E. Mic-Gina, Box 393, Ipswich, S. Bali. Filed Apr. 30, 1962, Ser.No. 198,929 6 Clmrns. (ill. 73-4252) This invention relates to agrain-type sampling device and more particularly to a probe-type grainsampling device having a sectional handle structure.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel grain sampling device,of simple and inexpensive construction, including a grain sampling probehaving an elongate sectional handle structure arranged and constructedfor ready assembly to thereby permit a user to very substantially reducethe time ordinarily required for performing the grain samplingoperation.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a novel andimproved sectional handle structure for use in conjunction with graintype probes, and including a plurality of elongate handle sectionscoupled together in end-to-end relation, readily releasable lockingmeans interlocking adjacent handle sections together, and lock guidemeans for facilitating locking of the locking means whereby the handlestructure may be very quickly disassembled in section-by-section order.

A more specific object of this invention is the provision of a sectionalhandle structure for use in coniunction with a grainsampling probe andincluding elongate upper and lower sections and a plurality of similarintermediate sections interconnected together in end-to-end relation,and wherein adjacent sections are interconnected together by male andfemale socket members, the latter having releasable locking meanspositively but releasably locking the interconnected sections together.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fullyappear from the following description made in connection with theaccompanying drawing wherein like character references refer to the sameor similar parts throughout the various views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of my invention foresnortened forclarity;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view on an enlarged scale takenapproximately along line ?,-2 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction ofthe arrows; and

FIG. 3 is a side view partly in section and partly in elevation onenlarged scale of the grain sampling probe.

Referring now to the drawing and more specifically to FIG. 1, it will beseen that one embodiment of my grain sampling device designatedgenerally by the reference numeral iii, is thereshown. This samplingdeviceis of the type employed in sampling various kinds of grain such aswheat, corn, oats and the like normally stored in storage structuressuch as bins, silos and the like.

The grain sampling device it; includes a grain sampling probe 11 and anelongate sectional handle structure 12. detachably secured to the probe.The probe 11 is of hollow, generally cylindrical construction and has alower pointed end 12 to facilitate penetration of the grain into whichthe probe is forced during the sampling operation. The upper end of theprobe 11 is opened to permit the entrance of grain into the probe duringthe sampling operation. An elongate pin 14 traverses the interior of theprobe and is ailixed to opposed wall portions thereof in close proximityto the open upper end.

A closure cover 15 is shiftably connected to the pin 14 and serves toopen and close the upper end of the probe 13.. This closure cover 15 isprovided with a de pending annular dan e 16 which fits around the uppercircumferential edge portion of theprobe when the cover 15 is in closingrelation therewith. The underside of the cover 15 has a centrallylocated U-shaped element 17 rigidly alfixed thereto and an elongatering-type link 18 is shiftably connected to the transverse pin 14 andthe U-shaped element 1'7. Thus it will be seen that the cover 15 and theprobe 11 are interconnected for relative move ment therebetween. It isalso pointed out that the probe 11 and cover 15 therefor are preferablyconstructed of a suitable rigid material such as metal or the like.

The sectional handle structure 12 is comprised of a lower handle section19, a plurality of intermediate similar handle sections 2%, and an upperhandle section 21 interconnected together in end-to-end relation. Thelower end portions of the lower section 19 terminate in a reducedthreaded male member 22 for threadedly engaging a threaded female member15:: on the cover 15, as best seen in FIG. 3. All of the sections are ofsubstantially tubular construction and are detachably connected to!gether in end-to-end relation for ready assembly and disassembly. Therespective inner engaging end portions of adjacent sections each definea coupling connector.

Referring again to FIG. 1, it will be seen that all of the intermediatesections are of substantially identical construction while the upperterminal portion of the upper section 21 is provided with a handgripping element Zita to facilitate extension and retraction of thegrain probe into and out of the grain being sampled. The upper end ofthe lower section 19 and the respective upper ends of each of theintermediate sections each define an axially extending, upwardly openingsocket member 23, as best seen in FIG. 2. In this connection it ispointed out that although FIG. 2 illustrates the interconnected relationbetween adjacent intermediate sections it is pointed out that the socketmember defined by the upper end of the lower section is of identicalconstruction.

Rigidly afiixed to the lower end of the upper section 21 and therespective lower ends of each of the intermedi ate sections 29 is a malesocket-engaging member 24. Again, it is pointed out that the malesocket-engaging member 24 is of identical construction in the uppersection 21 and in each of the intermediate sections 20 and that theillustration 'of FIG. 2 while showing one such socket-engaging member isadequate for the description of this structure. It will be noted thatthe male socketengaging member 24 is of reduced size and is fixedlyretained within the lower end portion of its associated section by meansof rivets 25. Each of the male socketengaging members 24 is receivedwithin the socket member 23 of the next adjacent section to define thecoupling connection for interconnecting the various sections inend-to-end relation.

Means are provided for positively but releasably locking the couplingconnections between adjacent sections in interlocked relation and thislocking means includes a resilient lease spring element 26 secured tothe exterior surface of the socket member 23 for each couplingconnection. It will be seen that the lower portion of the resilientlease spring 26 is secured to its associated socket member by means ofrivets 2'7 and that the upper end of the lease spring has lockingelement 23 secured thereto. Each of the socket members 23 has anaperture 29 therein to permit its associated locking element 28toproject therethrough so that the locking element extends radiallyinwardly of the socket member.

Each of the male socket engaging members 24 has a locking recess oraperture 3% extending diametrically through the lower portion thereof.This locking recess 3% serves to receive the locking element 28 thereinfor positively but releasably locking the female socket memher and themale socket-engaging member of each coupling connection into interlockedrelation. To this end, it will be noted that the locking element 28 willbe urged radially inwardly by the spring 25 'sothat the lockingeleprobe. The handle is then retracted ment will be retained in lockedrelation but it is pointed out that the locking element may be forciblyretracted to readily unlock the socket and socket engaging members. Itwill also be noted that the lower terminal portion of each male socketengaging member is tapered, as at 24,

and this tapered end serves to cam the locking element 28 verselytherethrough and affixed thereto. It will be noted' that the pin'31 isspaced from the lower terminal portion of its associated malesocket-engaging member and projects radially outwardly'from oppositesides thereof.

Each of the socket members. 23 is provided with a pair of diametricallyopposed slots 32 each extending axially from the end of thesocket memberand terminating in an angular olfset portion 33. During the lockingoperation, the radially extending portions of the pin 31 will bepositioned within the slots 32 and when the sectionis revolved toposition the radially extending portions of the pin 31 intothe olfsetportions 33 of the slots, the locking element 28 and locking recess willbe positioned into radial alignment to thereby permit the lockingelement to be snapped into the locking recess. It will also be notedthat the obstructing surface 34 defined by the offset portion of eachslot serves to lock the radial extending portions of the pin-31 againstaxial movementso that in effect the pin and slot of each couplingconnection not only serves as a means for positioning'the lockingelements in radial alignment but also al locking means.

time. In the conventional sampling devices, the various sections thereofare'threadedly interconnected and con- To this end,

in 'the conventional sampling devices very often'tend to bindanddisengagement of the threaded connections often results in a verytime consuming operation.

It will further be seen that each coupling connection is 7 'not onlysecured and positively locked bythe locking eletogether.

comprises an addition- When sampling granular material, such as wheat orthe like, the samplerwill take samples at a number of differentlocations of the wheat stored in the storage receptacle. In order toobtain the good representative sample of the storage grain, the samplerwill take a predetermined number of samples at various depths at eachlocation. In the conventional storage receptacles employed for storingwheat, corn and the like, samples are taken at four different depthlevels and at five different cured to the grain probe. When soassembled, the sampling device is urgeddownwardly through the grain tosubstantially the full length of the handle structure. It

is pointed out that the grain probe will be forced against the cover asthe probe is urged downwardly through the granular material. When theprobe is extended into the grain substantially the full length thereof,agitation of the handle causes relative shifting movement between theprobe and cover to permit grain to fill the interior of the to removethe grain retainedinthe probe. In order to acquire the sample at thenextlevel, the sampler merely removes one of the intermediate sections v20from the handle structure and reassembles the handle structure and takesa sample of the next lower level. This operation is repeated, until therequired number of samples is obtained from the variouslevels of'a givenlocation, The readily releasable locking means and the guidemeanspermit'ready assembly and disassembly of the handle with a ofeffort and in a of From the foregoing, it will be seen that I haveprovided a novel sampling device and which includes a sectional handlestructure which may be readily assembled and disassembled with a minimumof effort and in a minimum of time thereby permitting a great reductionin the cost of labor during the sampling operation.

Il'Wlll also be seen from the preceding paragraphs that while thevarious sections of the handle structure are capable of ready assemblyand disassembly, these sections,

are sointerconnected that even if the cooperating locking element andrecess become disengaged, the cooperative relation between the pin 31and the oifset lock portion 33 of each coupling connection also servesto retain the sections in locked relation. v

Thus it will be seen that I have provided a novel sampling device whichis not only of simple and inexpensive construction, but one'whichfunctions in a'more efficient manner than any'heretofore knowncomparable devices. 7

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made inthe form, details, arrangement, and proportionsof the various partswithout departing from the general scope of my invention. What isclaimed is:

' 1. A sampling device for use in sampling particulate material such asgrain andthe like,

said device comprising a grain type sampling probe having a pointedlower end and an open upper end, a closure. cover shiftably connected tosaid probe for opening and closing said open upper end,

'an elongate sectional handle structure for said probe, andincludingelongate'upper, lower and intermediate sections 'detachablyconnected together in end-to-end V relation, the lower end portion ofsaid lower section being detachably connected to the closure cover infixed relation therewith and the upper end portion of said upper sectionhaving a transversely extending hand grip element aflixed thereto,

the respective end portions of saidintermediate section, 3

the lower end portion of the upper section, and the upper end portion ofsaid lower section each defining a coupling connector,

one coupling connector on said intermediate section and one of thecoupling connectors of said upper and lower sections comprisinganaxially extending generally cylindrical socket member, the otherconnector .7 of one of said upper and lower sections comprising agenerally cylindrical shaped socket engaging mem ]gaging and socketmember of each coupling connec- Q tion and 'a radially extending recessin the other of of said intermediate section and the other connectoraresnoa said members for receiving the locking element therein, saidlocking element when disposed in locking relation in said locking recessextending radially inwardly of the socket defined by said socket member,and each coupling connection including a slot formed in 5 one of saidmembers and in the same member as said locking element, said slot foreach coupling connection extending first axially from the end of saidmember and terminating in an angular oltset portion and & disconnectibleupon axial retraction of its locking element from the associated lockedrecess and there after revolving the socket and socket engaging membersrelative to each other.

3. A sectional handle structure for use in conjunction with a grainsampling probe having a pointed lower end and an open upper end andhaving a closure cover shiftaoly connected thereto for opening andclosing said open upper end,

being spaced axially of the locking element of the as- 19 said sectionalhandle structure including an elongate sociated member, a radiallyextending pin on the other upper section, a plurality of intermediatesections and of said members of each coupling connection which a lowersection detachably connected together in endwhen disposed within saidangular offset portion posito-end relation, tioning said locking elementin radial alignment with the lower end portion of said lower sectionhaving its associated recess to thereby facilitate locking of meansthereon for detachable connection to the closaid coupling connection,said pin being spaced axialsure cover of a probejin fixed relationtherewith and ly of the locking recess of the associated member, theupper end portion of said upper'section having and each of said couplingconnections being readily a transversely extending hand grip. elementafiixed disconnectible upon axial retraction of its locking elethereto,ment from the associated locking recess and there- 20 the upper endportion of said lower section and the after revolving the socket andsocket engaging members relative to each other.

2. A sampling device for use in sampling particulate material such asgrain and the like, said comprising a grain type sampling probe having apointed lower end and an open upper end,

respective upper end portions of each of said intermediate section eachdefining an upwardly opening generally cylindrically shaped socketmember,

the lower end portion of said upper member and the respective lower endportions of each of said intermediate members each defining a generallycylina closure cover shiftably connected to said probe for opening andclosing said upper end, an elongate sectional handle structure for saidprobe dricaily shaped socket engaging member for ready insertion intothe socket member of the adjacent section,

and including elongate upper, lower and a plurality releasable lockingmeans for releasably locking each Of intermediate sections detachablyinterconnected to of the socket members with its associated socket 11-gether in end-to-end relation, gaging member, said locking meanscomprising a the lower end portion of said lower section being despringurged locking pin shiftably mounted on each tachably connected to theclosure cover in fixed relaof said socket members for radial shiftingmovetion therewith and the upper end portion of said ment relativethereto and radially of the opening upper section having a transverselyextending hand defined by the socket member, each of said socket gripelement affixed thereto, engaging members having 'a radiallyextendingrccess tie upper end portion of said lower Section and thereinfor receiving the axially extending locking respective upper endportions of said int rm d element of the associated socket membertherein, Section each dafinillg all p y opafling generally 40 eachlocking element when in locked relation in the cylindrical socketmember, associated locking recess extending radially inwardly E116 IQWEYend POffiOfl of the pp Section and the of the socket defined by theassociated socket memrespective lower end portions of each of saidinterb mediate Sections each defining a generally cylindricaleach ofsaid socket members having an elongate slot ly-shaped socket engagingmember for ready inserformed therein and extending axially from the end(i011 nt the Socket member 05 next fidlacefit of the socket member andterminating in an angular Section Wllefebl Said coopfimlillg Sockets and8093551 offset portion, said slots being spaced axially upwardlyengaging membfiTs define a Coupling Connection, from the locking elementof the associated locking releasable locking means for releasablylocking said b h f id sgcket engaging Ingmbgrs socket member andcooperating socket engag g having a radially extending pin thereon whichwhen member together, said locking means comprising a disposed withinthe angular offset portion of its asy Extending locking ElementmQl-mtB-d 011 (me Of sociated slot positioning said locking element inradial sai socket engaging and Socket members Of each alignment with itsassociated recess thereby facilitatwulfiing Connection #1116 in aradially extending Tecfiss ing locking of cooperating socket and socketengaging in the other of said members for receiving the lockmembers,said pin being spaced axially of said di n 511g element therein, Saidlocking 6151116111; when in ly extending recess of the associated socketengaging locked relation within said recess extending radially binwardly 0f Socket fgfmfid y Said Socket and said cooperating socket andsocket engaging member, bers being readily disconnectible upon axialretracand each coupling connection including a slot formed 0 tion of itslocking element from its associated recess in one of said members and inthe same member on which said locking element is mounted, said slot ofeach coupling connection extending first axially from one end of saidmember and terminating in an angular offset portion, said slot beingspaced axially from said locking element on the associated member, aradially extending pin on the other of said members of each couplingconnection which when disposed in said angular ofiset portion of itsassociated slot positioning said locking element in radial alignmentwith its associated locking recess to thereby facilitate locking of saidcoupling connection, said pin being spaced axially from the lockingrecess of the associated member,

and each of said coupling connections being readily and thereafterrevolving. the socket and socket engaging members relative to eachother.

4. The structure as defined in claim 3 wherein the lower terminalportions of each of said socket engaging members is tapered to define acamming surface for carnming the locking element of the cooperatingsocket member axially outwardly upon insertion of a socket engagingmember into one of said socket members.

5. The structure as defined in claim 3 wherein each of said lockingelements is provided with a resilient spring element for normally urgingthe locking element radially inwardly.

6. A sampling device {or use in sampling particulate material such asgrain and the like,

said device comprising a grain-type sampling probe having a pointedlowerend and an open upper end,

a closu're cover shiftably connected to said probe for opening andclosing said open upperend,

an elongate sectionalliandle structure for said probe a generallycylindrical upwardly opening socket memher, 7 l a t the lower end ofsaid'upper section and the respective lower section of said intermediatesection each defining a generally cylindrically shaped socket engagingmember forrready insertion into the socket member of the adjacentsection, 1 a v releasable locking means for'releasably'locking saidcooperating socket and socket engaging members in int terlockedrelation, said locking means "comprising a plurality of locking elementseach mounted on one of, said socket members in radially extendingrelation'therewith and beingradially shiftable relative thereto, each ofsaidsocket engaging members haying a radially extending recess thereinfor receiving the locking elements of the associated socket memberstherein, a

a plurality of elo'ngate resilient spring elements each mounted on oneof said socket members'and, extending longitudinally thereof and eachspring element being connected to one of said locking elements anddisposed normally thereto for normally urging the same radially inwardlyand intoits associated locking 7 v 'recess, each locking element when inlocked relation inwardlyr of the socket defined by the associated socketmember, V g .7 a

each of said socket members having a pair of opposed 6 slots formedtherein, each of said slots extending first axially from the end of saidsocket member and terminating-in an angular offset portion, each of saidslots being spaced axially upwardly from the upper end of the springelement on the associated socket member, a pin extending diametricallythrough each of said socket-engaging members and having terminalportions thereof'extending radially outwardly of the socket engagingmember which when disposed within the angular ofiset slot portionspositioning the locking element in radial alignment with'its associatedrecess and thereby facilitating locking of cooperating References Qitedbythe Examiner UNITEDSTATES PATENTS soaoos 12/05 Cogle 2877-103 xV2,32s,9ss 9/43 Martin 237 -119 3 2,389,811. 11/45 Ozlek 2s7 1'19 X2,660,457 11/53 Mallon 287-103 X 3,065, 37 i11/62"Landes V 73 42s.2

V FOREIGN'PVATENTS 14,964 A.VD ./99V Great Britain;

RICHARD C. QUEISSER, Primary Examiner. ROBERT L. EVANS, Examiner.

1. A SAMPLING DEVICE FOR USE IN SAMPLING PARTICULATE MATERIAL SUCH ASGRAIN AND THE LIKE, SAID DEVICE COMPRISING A GRAIN TYPE SAMPLING PROBEHAVING A POINTED LOWER END AND AN OPEN UPPER END, A CLOSURE COVERSHIFTABLY CONNECTED TO SAID PROBE FOR OPENING AND CLOSING SAID OPENUPPER END, AN ELONGATE SECTIONAL HANDLE STRUCTURE FOR SAID PROBE, ANDINCLUDING ELONGATE UPPER, LOWER AND INTERMEDIATE SECTIONS DETACHABLYCONNECTED TOGETHER IN END-TO-END RELATION, THE LOWER END PORTION OF SAIDLOWER SECTION BEING DETACHABLY CONNECT TO THE CLOSURE COVER IN FIXEDRELATION THEREWITH AND THE UPPER END PORTION OF SAID UPPER SECTIONHAVING A TRANSVERSELY EXTENDING HAND GRIP ELEMENT AFFIXED THERETO, THERESPECTIVE END PORTIONS OF SAID INTERMEDIATE SECTION, THE LOWER ENDPORTION OF THE UPPER SECTION, AND THE UPPER END PORTION OF SAID LOWERSECTION EACH DEFINING A COUPLING CONNECTOR, ONE COUPLING CONNECTOR ONSAID INTERMEDIATE SECTION AND ONE OF THE COUPLING CONNECTORS OF SAIDUPPER AND LOWER SECTIONS COMPRISING AN AXIALLY EXTENDING GENERALLYCYLINDRICAL SOCKET MEMBER, THE OTHER CONNECTOR OF SAID INTERMEDIATESECTION AND THE OTHER CONNECTOR OF ONE OF SAID UPPER AND LOWER SECTIONSCOMPRISING A GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL SHAPED SOCKET MEMBER OF THE BER FORREADY INSERTION INTO THE SOCKET MEMBER OF THE ADJACENT SECTION TO DEFINEA COUPLING CONNECTION, RELEASABLE LOCKING MEANS FOR RELEASABLY-LOCKINGSAID COUPLING CONNECTIONS, SAID LOCKING MEANS COMPRISING A RADIALLYEXTENDING LOCKING ELEMENT MOUNTED ON ONE OF SAID SOCKET ENGAGING ANDSOCKET MEMBER OF EACH COUPLING CONNECTION AND A RADIALLY EXTENDINGRECESS IN THE OTHER OF SAID MEMBERS FOR RECEIVING THE LOCKING ELEMENTTHEREIN, SAID LOCKING ELEMENT WHEN DISPOSED IN LOCKING RELATION IN SAIDLOCKING RECESS EXTENDING RADIALLY INWARDLY OF THE SOCKET DEFINED BY SAIDSOCKET MEMBER, AND EACH COUPLING CONNECTION INCLUDING A SLOT FORMED INONE OF SAID MEMBERS AND IN THE SAME MEMBER AS SAID LOCKING ELEMENT, SAIDSLOT FOR EACH COUPLING CONNECTION EXTENDING FIRST AXIALLY FROM THE ENDOF SAID MEMBER AND TERMINATING IN AN ANGULAR OFFSET PORTION AND BEINGSPACED AXIALLY OF THE LOCKING ELEMENT OF THE ASSOCIATED MEMBER, ARADIALLY EXTENDIN PIN ON THE OTHER OF SAID MEMBERS OF EACH COUPLINGCCONNECTION WHICH WHEN DISPOSED WITHIN SAID ANGULAR OFFSET PORTIONPOSITIONING SAID LOCKING ELEMENT IN RADIAL ALIGNMENT WITH ITS ASSOCIATEDRECESS TO THEREBY FACCILITATE LOCKING OF SAID COUPLING CONNECTION, SAIDPIN BEING SPACED AXIALLY OF THE LOCKING RECESS OF THE ASSOCIATED MEMBER,AND EACH OF SAID COUPLING CONNECTIONS BEING READILY DISCONNECTIBLE UPONAXIAL RETRACTION OF ITS LOCKING ELEMENT FROM THE ASSOCAITED LOCKINGRECESS AND THEREAFTER REVOLVING THE SOCKET AND SOCKET ENGAGING MEMBERSRELATIVE TO EACH OTHER.